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Congress to hear report on Iraq Key Iraq pair to brief Congress
(about 7 hours later)
President George W Bush's top military and political advisers on Iraq are to begin two days of testimony before Congress on the US troop surge plan.President George W Bush's top military and political advisers on Iraq are to begin two days of testimony before Congress on the US troop surge plan.
General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker are scheduled to report to four congressional committees. Gen David Petraeus and Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker are due to report to four congressional committees.
Correspondents say it has been billed as "make or break" for President Bush's resolve to stay the course in Iraq.Correspondents say it has been billed as "make or break" for President Bush's resolve to stay the course in Iraq.
A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge between February and June this year. A record 168,000 US troops are now in the country after 30,000 arrived in the surge between February and June.
The BBC's defence correspondent Rob Watson says rarely has the testimony of a US general to Congress received so much advanced billing. The Congressional hearings come as a new opinion poll suggested about 70% of Iraqis believe security has deteriorated in the area covered by the surge.
We have achieved tactical momentum and wrested the initiative from our enemies in a number of areas of Iraq Gen Petraeus Reports on Iraq to Congress Buying time on Iraq US surge has failed - poll Send us your comments
The survey by the BBC, ABC News and NHK of more than 2,000 people across Iraq also suggests that nearly 60% see attacks on US-led troops as justified.
However, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said violence since the surge began had fallen 75% in the provinces of Baghdad and Anbar, and that 14,000 militants linked to al-Qaeda had renounced violence.
"We have succeeded in preventing Iraq from sliding into the abyss of a sectarian war which was threatening our beloved country," Mr Maliki told the Iraqi parliament on Monday.
Upbeat message
BBC defence correspondent Rob Watson says rarely has the testimony of a US general to Congress received so much advanced billing.
Gen Petraeus has become something of a talisman for President Bush - the general he has entrusted to rescue his policy in Iraq.Gen Petraeus has become something of a talisman for President Bush - the general he has entrusted to rescue his policy in Iraq.
But there is a sense in Washington that his testimony may all be something of an anti-climax, our correspondent says.But there is a sense in Washington that his testimony may all be something of an anti-climax, our correspondent says.
Up-beat message
Gen Petraeus is expected to argue that the controversial surge strategy has cut sectarian violence and should be extended.Gen Petraeus is expected to argue that the controversial surge strategy has cut sectarian violence and should be extended.
We have achieved tactical momentum and wrested the initiative from our enemies in a number of areas of Iraq Gen Petraeus Reports on Iraq to Congress Buying time on Iraq
But it is anticipated that he will accept gradual troop cuts, beginning early next year.But it is anticipated that he will accept gradual troop cuts, beginning early next year.
"We have achieved tactical momentum and wrested the initiative from our enemies in a number of areas of Iraq," Gen Petraeus wrote in a letter to US forces on Saturday."We have achieved tactical momentum and wrested the initiative from our enemies in a number of areas of Iraq," Gen Petraeus wrote in a letter to US forces on Saturday.
But he said political reconciliation in Baghdad had not "worked out as we had hoped," although he was optimistic "a stable and secure Iraq" was possible. But he said political reconciliation in Baghdad had not "worked out as we had hoped", although he was optimistic "a stable and secure Iraq" was possible.
Our correspondent says President Bush is hoping the general's more up-beat message on security will be enough to stave off calls for a timeline for a US withdrawal. Our correspondent says President Bush is hoping the general's more upbeat message on security will be enough to stave off calls for a timeline for a US withdrawal.
Democrats in Congress have long been pushing for a reduction in troop numbers in Iraq.Democrats in Congress have long been pushing for a reduction in troop numbers in Iraq.
On Thursday they seized on a report from a key US security commission recommending a cut in troop numbers by early 2008.On Thursday they seized on a report from a key US security commission recommending a cut in troop numbers by early 2008.
Mr Bush, who decides on force levels in Iraq, has said he will follow advice from commanders on the ground, rather than bowing to political pressure, to make his decision.Mr Bush, who decides on force levels in Iraq, has said he will follow advice from commanders on the ground, rather than bowing to political pressure, to make his decision.